Random misfire - engine misfiring?

Tiny
KEVIN MELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 205,000 MILES
I am having a problem with misfire I check cylinders one through five by taking coil off no result. I took two cylinder coil off engine gets weak. I replaced coil packs and boots. I replaced all the plugs, replaced both valve covers, a variable valve timing solenoid. I disconnected the fuel Injector that runs to cylinder two and before I tried that it makes a loud popping sound even with the fuel injector disconnected. Can you please tell me what I need to do?
Sunday, July 16th, 2017 AT 7:00 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Start with a compression test and please post the results.

Here is a guide to help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Monday, July 17th, 2017 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
KEVIN MELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, I think I have a stuck valve and no idea how to free it.
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Monday, July 17th, 2017 AT 10:04 AM
Tiny
KEVIN MELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, I did a compression test both cylinders two and four were 150.
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Monday, July 17th, 2017 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
Hello,

Can you do the rest of the cylinders becasue if you have a burnt intake valve it will effect the remaining cylinders.

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
KEVIN MELTON
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Did the rest of the cylinder 120 all around
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Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,512 POSTS
Does it seem like the engine is misfiring in a constant rhythm or completely random?
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Wednesday, July 19th, 2017 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
BRADTRUETT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Nissan Frontier 4X4 6 cylinder truck. I keep getting a misfire in cylinder 2. This only happens when the engine has ran for 15+ mins or so, turned off for 5 mins, then I start it up again. The engine rumbles pretty bad for a few mins then it is fine again. I have changed the spark plugs/ wires, rotor/cap, oil and the fuel filter. Kinda stumped on this one. Any thoughts?
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,870 POSTS
You also need fuel and compression. Since this is intermittent, compression and valve problems are not good suspects. Consider switching two injectors to see if the diagnostic fault code switches to a different cylinder.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES HOWARD2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 209,000 MILES
Changed the knock sensor in this vehicle. New gaskets, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. Put it back together. Checked for codes after first restart, all was good the computer had reset itself. Now after idling for about five minutes or so I can hear some type of knocking. Not sure if its coming from the supercharger or the valve train. However, the check engine light on the dash started flashing and when plugged into the OBD2 reader its giving me a code for cylinder 6 misfire. I pulled the plug and checked it had an extra wire so I changed it and same issue. Any ideas as to what I am possibly dealing with at this point?
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

When the Malfunction Indicator Lamp[MIL], or "check engine" lamp is illuminated and flashing this indicates a type A misfire, which is defined as a catalyst damaging event, and needs to dealt with immediately. First I would verify that you are getting spark to that cylinder. Here is a link below to a guide explaining how to check for spark:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

Please get back to us with what you find out and we can go from there. Please do not drive this vehicle until this is taken care of. You risk possible catastrophic engine failure, if your engine hasn't already had an event like this with #6 cylinder.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELISSAMCL3
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 169,000 MILES
First started with when accerlerating up hills, it would miss like hesitate to climb hill. Then got to where missing just after being started and would get worse even while driving. Had it checked a good time before got worse at advance auto, said it showed knock sensor and oxygen sensor. I already had a knock sensor so when it had got worse on the missing, my husband and dad are diy's and they replaced the knock sensor and also valve gasket because it also had oil leak, also replace manifold gasket, I think. After the truck was started it was smoking under the hood and from the exhaust. It wouldn't hardly run and even now won't hardly. My son drove to have another test done on it, he said the missing was worse than before and quit on him twice. Advance Auto said it showed a knock sensor circuit too high ( or something like that ) and an engine coolant sensor. Could you help? Thank you very much! If I could I may would give a donation, but my husband is waiting disability and have no idea when he could get it and our income is very low for a family of 5. Your help is greatly appreciated!
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKEDEROUIN88
  • MEMBER
  • 137 POSTS
Just because a code says knock sensor in it doesn't mean the knock sensor is bad. Code readers donr tell u what part to change so having it read at a parts store isn't very helpful. If it says knock sensor circut high voltage it is an electrical problem check to make sure the plug is snapped tight on the sensor and look for breaks in wires leading to knock sensor. However it sounds like there is more then one problem
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
A knock sensor fault can cause diveability issues for this vehicle but after replacing the knock sensor, was the trouble codes erased and it came back.

There is a possibility the knock sensor problem had been resolved and what you have is a fault with the spark plugs and/or its related components.

The ECT has to be addressed as well.

Have the codes cleared, go for a drive and retrieve the codes again. Let us know what comes up. We need the EXACT code number to get more information.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDMAN667
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
My Frontier idles ans run well until it hits about 45 then it run rough until it gets to 65 then it smooths out. It sets an error code of P301 - missfire cylinder 1. I have change the plugs, plug wire, distribute cap and rotor. I'm not sure what to try next. I thought maybe the coil but only cylinder 1 is giving be the code. Thanks for you help.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Misfire at cyl no.1 check sparkplug, compression and injector for that cyl.

Engine misfires can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROCKETEERX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I got the same P301 code but the initial problem (without getting the error code) is that the car is loosing water/coolant without no leaking. After a week I got the P301 and I've checked the sparkplug from the cyl no. 1 and it has a green-like color, I think there is a coolant leak problem, am I right?

Thank you
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Sounds like the no.1 is leaking-Get it block and pressure tested
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEDCONS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
Engine Performance problem
2002 Nissan Frontier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I have an intermitent misfire code in cylinder 1. At areound 2k RPM it is noticible in how the engine performs. At that speed if I drop out of overdrive it is fine again. At idle no problem. At highway speed no problem. Lousy gas mileage. Local shop has replaced distributor, #1 injector, plugs, primary ignition wires etc. No change. Compression is ok.

Where do I look next?

Thanks.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi dedcons, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation and selecting us as your auto repair site Feel free to ask questions at anytime and Happy New Year 2010

Engine misfiring can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or even bad fuel.

Misfire in a specific cylinder should lead you to check the spark plug, fuel injector and compression.
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
What was the compression reading both dry and wet tests on cylinder no. 1? And are you still getting P0301 at this time-

You sure its not being caused by the transmission-could be caused by theses sensors, throttle position, vehicle speed and coolant temperature sensors-the computer uses these sensors input signals to command and control the tranny upshifts/downshifts, overdrive/lock-up
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Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 AT 12:35 PM (Merged)

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